The tablet will, however, likely be cheaper than the Galaxy Note 8.0.

Samsung's Android tablets of late have all been released under the stylus-toting Galaxy Note banner, but Samsung isn't giving up on the Galaxy Tab brand just yet. The just-announced Galaxy Tab 3 is the first new Tab we've seen in just over a year, and like the Galaxy Tab 2, it appears to be targeted toward more budget-conscious buyers than the $399 Galaxy Note 8.0.

On the outside, the tablet has gotten a visual overhaul to bring it in line with Samsung's other post-Galaxy S III phones and tablets: it has shed its button-free face and picked up the now-standard hardware Home button flanked by capacitive Back and Menu buttons. On the inside, though, this tablet looks an awful lot like the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0: both have 7-inch 1024×600 displays with pixel densities of 169 ppi. Both use a dual-core processor (a 1GHz OMAP4430 in the Tab 2; an indeterminate 1.2GHz processor in the Tab 3), 1GB of RAM, and 8 or 16 gigabytes of storage expandable via microSD. Both include Bluetooth 3.0, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, and optional cellular connectivity. Both have a 3MP rear-facing camera (though the front-facing shooter on the Tab 3 is now a 1.3MP camera, up from 0.3MP in the Tab 2). Both include Android 4.1 (if you've updated your Tab 2, at least). The Tab 3 is slightly lighter and thinner than the Tab 2 (0.67 pounds and 0.39" thick, compared to 0.76 pounds and 0.41" thick), but otherwise the similarities outnumber the differences.

We've reached out to Samsung to find out more about the processor inside the Tab 3, but in any case this new tablet appears to be a very gently upgraded version of its predecessor. We don't know how much the tablet will cost, but we expect it to be closer to the $199 price point of the Nexus 7 than the $399 of the Galaxy Note 8.0 or $329 of the iPad mini. The Wi-Fi version of the tablet launches in May with the 3G version following in June.

20 Reader Comments

I already have a tab 2, I ended up rooting it so I could get the most out it. If/when I decide I need something different I'll probably go with the Google Nexus. I like the idea of getting updates regularly and not being loaded down with bloatware.

I have a Tab 2, and the lack of buttons is somewhat annoying, so this is an improvement in that aspect.The screen on the Tab 2 is pretty bad though. Hopefully at least it's a better quality 1024x600 screen if nothing else. a bump to 1280xsomething (720 or 768 or 800) would be nice though.

The tablet also can be very sluggish compared to even the S3, which is quite shameful.Not something worth getting from the looks of it, unless it's very cheap.

I bought a Galaxy Tab in Canada. Was assured that it would get OS updates. And I am STILL using Honeycomb.

Samsung uses the Android OS version as a selling point for their new devices. And takes their sweet ass time updating their old stuff so that you consider upgrading your hardware for access to the "latest OS".

Canadians were left out in the cold (pun intended).

Picture a world where HP or Dell control what windows updates you receive on their laptops... and use this to their advantage when releasing new versions of their hardware. Get the latest HP laptop with the all new Windows 7! It's an incredibly smooth and crisp OS brought to you by HP!!

Picture a world where HP or Dell control what windows updates you receive on their laptops... and use this to their advantage when releasing new versions of their hardware. Get the latest HP laptop with the all new Windows 7! It's an incredibly smooth and crisp OS brought to you by HP!!

Picturing that world was pretty easy, all I had to do was look outside. I haven't purchased a PC with an OS preloaded in ages, but I'm pretty sure it's a rare occasion for Dell/HP/etc to push out a new bundled version of Windows. There have been a few instances with free upgrades to the latest Windows if it's near-release, but anything else requires the user to take matters into their own hands (ie: CyanogenMod) or upgrade hardware (ie: phones in general).

I already have a tab 2, I ended up rooting it so I could get the most out it. If/when I decide I need something different I'll probably go with the Google Nexus. I like the idea of getting updates regularly and not being loaded down with bloatware.

I'm with ya---we're still using a pair of 'Xooms'...and they're working great! It's very cool to get the updates 'on time' vs. waiting them out---as I've been doing forever with my Galaxy Note (Original). Took almost a year to get ICS---I doubt I'll ever see JB. Especially when it comes to tablets...as it seems each Google update brings significant 'help' to the UX for the tablet format...vs smaller improvements to the phones. From now forward, the Android tablets I buy will be the 'Nexus' branded tabs. No more screwing around with Samsung for me. My Note has been a frustrating experience to say the least.

The Tab 2 7.0 definitely does not have dual-band Wifi, at least in the US or the UK version. It supports b/g/n/ on 2.4GHz only. If the new Tab 3 truly supports dual-band WiFI, it's a worthwhile upgrade for those of us who live with a crowded spectrum.http://www.samsung.com/us/system/consum ... v14_1_.pdf

I already have a tab 2, I ended up rooting it so I could get the most out it. If/when I decide I need something different I'll probably go with the Google Nexus. I like the idea of getting updates regularly and not being loaded down with bloatware.

I'm with ya---we're still using a pair of 'Xooms'...and they're working great! It's very cool to get the updates 'on time' vs. waiting them out---as I've been doing forever with my Galaxy Note (Original). Took almost a year to get ICS---I doubt I'll ever see JB. Especially when it comes to tablets...as it seems each Google update brings significant 'help' to the UX for the tablet format...vs smaller improvements to the phones. From now forward, the Android tablets I buy will be the 'Nexus' branded tabs. No more screwing around with Samsung for me. My Note has been a frustrating experience to say the least.

J

yeah the lack of updates and the extra crap samsung insists on throwing on every device kills me. We (The hubby and I) recently aquired Samsung Galaxy SII phones and it's sad that my phone is much more responsive and snappier than my tablet.

Very disappointing, especially considering that the Nexus 7.2 will humiliate it in many meaningful specs like CPU power and DPI. Samsung may have a phone and tablet for every pricepoint, but why do some of them have to be so mediocre?

Gah, all these new so-called Nexus 7 competitors better dump that ultra-crappy 1024x600 resolution fast. I mean, that's the resolution from my Nook Color from 2010, and that was at least an IPS screen, so it was still better than these tablets today (and not even more expensive). That resolution isn't even "in the game" anymore.

All we can do is wait and not buy these craplets until the standard "high-end" tablet resolution solidifies at a high enough resolution that the budget tablets move up to at least 1280x720, which is the true minimum decent resolution for a 7" tablet.

I'd appreciate being able to draw diagonal lines with a stylus without them going wavy. Fingers work fine, but any stylus will wiggle and wave for lines at a 45 degree angle.

So get an actual Note, that is what they are for. The waviness comes from the inexactness that is difficult to get rid of for touchscreens. The wacom-based stylus on the Notes is exactly how you fix that problem. Personally, I don't need it, but if that is your problem, you are one of the people who should use a real stylus, not a fake capactive stylus.

They could innovate by making it bigger! Oh wait, that's been done already.

Seriously, odd how Samsung seems unable to replicate their success on the tablet side of the market. Could it be that Phablets have negated the demand for both a phone and a tablet? Or could it be that demand is being killed by the iPad which is available everywhere as it is not restricted by carrier distribution model.

The most difficult task that Samsung faces is price. Google and Amazon reach the $200 price point by giving their tablets away or even at a loss, something that Samsung cannot do since they have no way generate an alternate source of revenue like Google (search/app store) or Amazon (app/store sales).

As Apple has proved, they are very competitive on price even in the tablet market. This is even true in the phone market when comparing flagship phones, such as the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S4. This is even true in the ultra-book market.

Considering these disappointing specs and apples seeming loss to produce product (don't worry, I'm still waiting for fall was well), it seems as if the two market leaders are leaving gaps for competitors.

Considering these disappointing specs and apples seeming loss to produce product (don't worry, I'm still waiting for fall was well), it seems as if the two market leaders are leaving gaps for competitors.

Their is no gap. Google and Amazon have already killed the competition below the iPad-Mini by giving their products away at cost. Who is going to jump into that blackhole?

Samsung won't be anywhere near $200 unless they plan to have zero profit margin.

I'm betting $299 based on the difference between the Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 is already a huge success story and the new Galaxy Tab 3 will be similarly well received. Not by technophiles but by ordinary users. That's because these tablets offer excellent build quality, high quality components and solid support from Samsung for a reasonable price. I bought my Tab 2 7.0 for $170. Four months later no need to contact tech support but if I do, they will be there. The Google/Asus Nexus 7 is a problem child. Even if you get a good one you may encounter a problem with the poor build quality. But what really sucks is the horrible support people are getting (or should I say not getting) from either Google or Asus. Just Google Nexus 7 sucks and you can read all of the stories of hassling with customer support. BTW Google only becomes involved if you bought it from their store. The Nexus 7 does offer superior graphics and a faster processor than the Tab 2 or the new Tab 3 but at the cost of construction quality and tech support. I have to laugh when I read all of the 'do-it-yourselfers' offering advice about how to take the Nexus 7 apart and re-glue everything back together. Yes Asus and Apple use glue rather than screws to piece everything together. Google 'Cracking open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2' to see the quality of the construction inside. So spare me the comparisons between the Samsung and the Asus product because you have to look at the whole package. Now the Nexus 10 is a great table because it's built by Samsung. But you won't get one for $200. It's $400+ as is the Note 8. Both of these tablets offer state of the art components and excellent build quality. You really do get what you pay for. I'm guessing the new Tab 3 will be introduced at $249 just like the Tab 2 was initially. Wait till fall and the price will drop or pickup a Tab 2 at a bargain price.

Samsung probably thinks success comes from inundating the market with a wild number of very similar (looking) mediocre tablets. It is a shame, because the company has the technology and the money to make a few number of desirable (and memorable) devices. All those Note tablets (the ones with the pen) and those without (the Tab line - so imaginative) - and not one that is really standout.

Strange - the Nexus 10 is also made by Samsung, but it does look and feel good. And it does lack TouchWiz, which looks too ugly and too cluttered to me.